Buddies Dog Training Club Bolton was established in 2003 by Karen & Gail. Our head instructors are qualified dog trainers & as a team we have a wealth of practical experience and knowledge to offer you.

All dogs are individuals and there are many different training methods and approaches we can use to cater for their individual needs. At Buddies we call on our knowledge & experience to achieve the flexibility to train you and your dog.

Let’s introduce ourselves

Karen has been running dog training classes in Bolton for 20 years and specialises in puppy socialisation and problem dogs.

Having grown up in a very doggy household Karen began a career with Guide Dogs for the Blind 20+ years ago working in the kennels, she then qualified as a Guide Dog Trainer in 1988 and became a Senior Guide Dog Trainer in 2000.

Buddy whom the dog club is named after lived with Karen for 15 and half years.

Karen lives with a German Shepherd called Billy. Billy is very special: he and his brothers were hand reared by Karen when his mum Tipsy died during their birth. Billy has passed his Bronze & Silver Good Citizen Awards, maybe he'll get Gold one day!

In Aug 2016 Brian arrived. Brian is a Patterdale Terrier, a breed renowned for being difficult due to their strong hunting instincts. Karen is Brians 4th home! He was rehomed via Rossendale Responsible Rescue. In true Terrier style he has a Jekyll & Hyde personality, a sweetie in the home and a little so and so outdoors!

In 2009 Karen achieved a Professional Diploma in Education by successfully completing a teacher training course at Bolton University, with Dog Training as her vocational curriculum area.

Karen is also a member of the British Institute of Professional Dog Trainers and has qualified with The Kennel Club as an examiner for the Good Citizen Dog Scheme up to Gold level.

Gail has been involved in dog training at various
clubs for 20+ years. Having taken part in competitive obedience and being a
qualified KC judge she specialises in advanced training. Ex veterinary nurse
Gail is a qualified instructor with the British Institute of Professional Dog
Trainers and is also qualified with the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme as an examiner up to Gold level. Gail qualified as a Guide Dog Trainer here in the UK and has just
returned after working as Senior Dog Trainer for Seeing Eye Dogs Australia. She
has brought black Labrador Eadie back home with her; she and Eadie have trained
and competed in Rally Obedience, HTM and agility. Eadie also worked as an
ambassador for Seeing Eye dogs doing demos and appearing on media/TV etc using her trick training to
promote the organisation.

Derek W instructs in our advanced classes.

Derek has spent nearly a lifetime living with, training and working dogs, starting with his first GSD before he passed his 11-plus. He trained his most recent Labrador Bailey to pass the Bronze and Silver Good Citizen Dog Scheme awards on the same day, followed shortly after by Gold. The family have owned, showed and bred several dog breeds over the years and have puppy walked numerous dogs for Guide Dogs for the Blind. Derek attended obedience training classes with the family GSDs, a couple of English Setters and a Cocker Spaniel (he likes a challenge) followed by years of training and handling his Labrador gundogs in working tests and in the field. He still has two Labradors from working lines today. (p.s. He’s also Karen’s dad!).

Katie is our puppy assistant.

Katie has a love for terriers and is currently owned by 2
Cairn terriers Bronnie and Barley. They have both had their own shall we say,
unique and quirky issues which was the reason why Katie became interested
in learning and understanding dog behaviour and training.

As you probably know, Dorothy
and Toto followed the yellow brick road and found Oz but Katie and the Cairns
followed Chorley Old Road and found Buddies!

Bronnie has achieved her bronze and silver Good Citizen
Dog awards in the same week and is now working towards taking her gold.

Barley has achieved her bronze, silver and gold Good
Citizen Dog awards.

Katie has also trained and competed with Barley in agility.

Katie has recently
completed an Introduction to Tellington TTouch course which is a gentle
approach to the care and training of animals based on co-operation and respect for all
animals and their people. T Touch can help improve behaviour and enhance
performance and health whilst deepening the connection between humans and their animals.